Fire extinguishing apparatus



Patented Dec. 9, 194i FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Ernest A. Lowe, Fanwood, and Stephen '1. Van Houten; Allendale, N. J.

Application May 5, 1938, Serial No. 206,100

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a fire extinguishing system susceptible to the action of heat, such as that occasioned by a fire, to thereby cause the apparatus of the system to function resulting in thedischarge of water or other fire extinguishing medium to the fire in question.

The primary object of the invention is the.

production of a fire extinguishing apparatus which shall be simple in construction and which may be installed with ease, facility and at small cost.

The invention is peculiarly adapted in its application to dwelling houses or small plants wherein the installation of a fire extinguishing system heretofore has not been feasible, because of the expense attendant upon such installation.

A further object of the invention is the production of a system which may be utilized and installed in conjunction with the usual and conventional water supply system for a dwelling house or plant or other enclosure while at the same time eliminating a large portion of the expense which has heretofore been necessary connection with such installation.

At present it is difiicult to secure the approval of the board of fire underwriters of a fire extinguishing system which is directly connected to a branch water main or pipe leading into the house or plant from a street water main and which normally supplies water to the domestic service supply pipe leading to'the faucets and lavatory and other outlets in the house or plant for the reason that should fire occur and the domestic service supply pipe at that time is in use, the water pressure in many cases would be insufilcient to supply the necessary volume of water to the fire extinguishing system and in consequence the fire extinguishing system would fail to properly function. It is now necessary, if a fire extinguishing system is to be installed, where apparatus and street main and using separatepipe connections with separate control valve meters and other parts of a-fire extinguishing apparatus to permit it to properly perform its fire extinguishing or controlling function.

According to the invention the lead-in pipe from the street main which is conventionally connected to the domestic supply pipe is also employed for, the fire extinguishing system and the apparatus and the arrangement is such that upon the occurrence of fire in the building, a quick operating cut-off valve is automatically closed thus severing the connection between the lead-in pipe and domestic service supply pipe and permitting the full supply of water to flow to the extinguishing system per se and thus eliminate the objections above referred to.

' A further object of the invention is the production "of an apparatus of the above character which shall be supplied with a quick operating valve of a conventional type preferably interposed between and connected to the mains'up ply pipe and the domestic service supply pipe and adapted to automatically close at the momerit the fire extinguishing system is brought into action. a

A further object of the invention is the production of a system of the above character which preferably shall be provided with the usual sprinkler heads or other extinguishing fluid outlets, which system shall function to close the aforesaid quick operating valve when said extinguishing system is brought into action by operation of the one or more of the sprinkler heads or otherwise. r

A further object of the invention is the pro duction of a system of the above character which shall be provided with a plurality of thermostats or other heat actuated devices of any desired .construction and preferably adapted to be actuated upon a rise in temperature due to a fire, the functioning of said thermostats acting to automatically close the aforesaid quick operating valve and permit the supply of 'fluid, such as water, to flow only to the extinguishing system while disconnecting the said supply from the domestic service supply pipe.

A further object of the invention is the pro duction of a system of the above character which shall not only operate to close the afor'e-merrtioned quick operating valve when one or more sprinkler heads operate or when one or more,

taken through the-- quick operating valve for disconnecting the supply of fluid from the main supply pipe to the domestic service supply pipe.

Referring in detail to the several figures of the drawing:

H3 and ii indicate the side wall and ceiling of a room respect vely while |2 indicates the main water supply pipe usually located in the ground and connected to the water main |3 beneath the street. The supply pipe l2 has a riser l4 connected thereto, as is usual in fire extinguishing systems, and laterally or horizontally extending distributing or branch pipes l5 are connected to the riser l4 being supported by pipe hangers i6 of any suitable construction connected to the ceiling of the room. The main supply pipe l2 is provided with a suitable form of control valve ii for shutting off the supply of water. from the street main l4, when so desired, and a water meter i6 of any suitable type may also be provided in said pipe l2 and is preferably interposed between the control valve I1 and the connection between the water main l2 and the riser l4. The riser I4 is also provided with a fire extinguishing system control-va1ve I9 and automatic main control valve for controlling the supply of water to the riser I when the system functions, the valve chamber of which is generally indicated at 20.-

The main automatic valve 26 is provided with a valve 2| normally cutting oil the supply of water or other fire extinguishing medium from the main supply pipe 12 to the riser l4. The

fire extinguishing system shown is preferably one known as the wet-pipe" system and the riser l4 and distributing or branch pipes |6 are normally filled with water. The valve 2| is held on its seat by any desired means as for instance by a weighted clapper 22, pivoted as at 23 to the valve casing and pivotally connected as at 24 to the valve 2|. The clapper 22 also carries a valve 25 normally closing a pipe 26 leading to the valve chamber 20. The pipe 26 may be provided with any conventional form of bleed drip 21 whereby any residual water in pipe 26 is drained therefrom when the extinguishing system is not operating.

The distributing pipes are preferably provided with a plurality of automatic fusible sprinkler heads 28 (illustrated in somewhat enlarged form) having pivoted levers or arms 23 normally holding a valve cap 30 on its seat in closed position to prevent the passage of water from. the distributing or branch pipe l5 to and from said sprinkler heads. The ends of levers 23 are held in normal position by means of a fusible link 36 so when the link 36 fuses or melts due to a fire and, as is well known in the art, the cap 33 will automatically be removed from its seat by the pressure of water from the riser l4 and distributing pipe l5 whereby the water willflow to and be discharged from the sprinkler head to perform its fire extinguishing function.

The pipe 26 terminates in a diaphragm casing 3| sealed by a flexible diaphragm 32 carrying a contact 33. A lead-wire 34 connects with a battery 35 or other source of power which in turn is connected with the coil 36 of an electro-magnet 31 forming a part of an electro-maghetic release indicated generally at 31'. The other end of said coil is in electrical connection by lead-wire 38 with contact button 36 which is adapted .to be engaged by contact 33 when the diaphragm 32 is flexed upwardly by fluid pressure flowing through pipe 26 and to thereby close the circuit and thus energize the electro-magnet 31.

The casing of a quick-acting valve is indicated at 40 and it connects the main water supply pipe i2 and a domestic service supply pipe 4| which leads to the faucets and other water outlets in the building. It is supplied with a valve opening and seat 52 and a valve head 43 adapted to engage and cooperate with said seat for either preventing or permitting the flow of water from the main water supply pipe to the domestic service supply pipe. A valve stem 44 is connected to the valve head 43 and slidably engageswithin a stufling box 45.

The valve stem 44 is pivotally connected to a rod or bar 46 pivoted at one end and as at 41 to permit it of partial movement in a clockwise direction; the extent of movement being limited by engagement of head 43 with the seat 42, a stop 48 being provided to limit the downward movement of rod or bar 46 should occasion arise.

The free end of rod or bar 46 carries a suspended weight 49 constantly urging the downward movement of the rod or bar 46 on its pivot to thereby cause the valve head 43 to engage its .seat 42 and thus check, upon release of weight 49, the flow of water from the main supply pipe l2 to the domestic service supply pipe 4| The free end of the rod or bar 46 is held in from one or more of the sprinkler heads to the flre. This release of fluid pressure in the distributing pipe or pipes l6 raises the valve 2| from its seat by water pressure applied therebeneath from the main supply pipe l2 whereby the clapper 22 will also swing upwardly on its pivot 23 to unseat the valve 25 and permit water to flow into pipe 26 and exert pressure against diaphragm 32 to close the electrical circuit as previously explained and thereby energize electromagnet 31.

Energization of electro-magnet 31 causes the detent 60 to swing on its pivot 6| against the action of spring 52 whereby the detent will be moved in a counterclockwise direction. releases the hooked end of detent 50 from its engagement with the bar or rod 46 which swings at' 64'. One end of the coil of said electromagnet is connected by lead-wire 66 to the connection between the battery 35 and the electromagnet 31 while the other end is connected by lead-wire 56 to the lead-wire 36. Thus when electro-magnet 31 is energized, eiectro-magnet 64 also becomes energized and attracts the upper end of pivoted bar 51 into engagement therewith against the action of a spring 66, the clockwise movement of bar 61 on its pivot being limited by stop 63 when the electro-magnet I4 is de- This A second electromagnet 54 is provided and forms a part of a fire-alarm signal box which is indicated generallyenergized. The pivoted bar 51 is in circuit with a battery, said battery being connected to a bell of other signal ti which in turn isin electrical connection with a bar 62 adapted to be engaged by contact 53 on pivoted bar 51 to close the local circuit and sound the bell 6| when electro-magnet Wis energized. If so desired and as is manifest, the signal or hell could be relayed to a central fire or other station.

We further provide one or more heat-actuated thermostats 6% operating on any well-known principle and which are connected by the leadwires 65 and (it to the lead-wires 56 and 34 respectively and which thermostats, when subjected to heat of a sufficient degree, will close the electrical circuits hereinbefore described to close the quick-acting valve and give the signal irrespective of the actuation of the sprinkler heads.

Obviously the invention may be applied to a fire detecting or alarm system per se which is actuated by fluid pressure upon the occasion of a fire, and in some cases we prefer to have the device actuated only by operation of the thermostats 66 and irrespective of whether or not the sprinkler heads have fused at that time.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a fire extinguishing system, a. main supply pipe for supplying water to the system, a domestic supply pipe connected therewith, a domestic service control valve in said domestic supply pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a normally closed valve controlling the supply of water from the main supply pipe to the sprinkler head and adapted to open upon the fusing of the sprinkler head for the flow of water thereto and discharge of the water therefrom, and a distendable diaphragm controlled means responsive to the fiow of water upon the fusing of said sprinkler head and the opening of the second-named valve for automatically closing said domestic service control valve.

2. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe for supplying water to the system, a supplemental domestic service supply pipe, a service control valve in said supplemental supply pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a distendable diaphragm operated means for closing the domestic service control valve, and a normally closed valve for controlling the flow of water from the main supply pipe to the sprinkler head and distendable diaphragm and adapted to be opened to allow flow of water thereto upon .the fusing of the sprinkler head, said diaphragm being actuated by the pressure of the water when the secondnamed valve is opened for automatically closing said service control valve.

3. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply, a domestic supply pipe, 8. quick acting valve in said domestic supply pipe, a riser connected to said main supply pipe, a sprinkler head connected to said riser, a valve normally closing the passage between said main supply pipe and said riser, a flexible diaphragm, means connected to said diaphragm and said valve and normally closed against the passage of water from said main supplypipe and means connecting said diaphragm and said quick acting valve to close the same upon the opening of said passage closing valve and the consequent pressure of water against said diaphragm.

.4. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply, a domestic supply pipe, a quick acting valve in said domestic supply pipe, a sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a valve in said main supply pipe for regulating the discharge of water from said main supply pipe to and through said sprinkler head, pressure responsive means communicating with said regulating valve and adapted to be actuated by water pressure when said regulating valve is open and means connected to said quick acting valve and said presupon the opening of said regulating valve, an

electro-magnet in circuit with said communicating means and adaptedto be energized upon actuation of said communicating means, a detent actuated upon the energization of said electromagnet and means normally engaging said detent and said quick acting valve for closing said quick acting valve upon actuation of said detent.

6. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply,

a domestic service supply pipe, a service control valve in said domestic service supply pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a distendable diaphragm connected to said main supply pipe and actuable under pressure of water flowing therefrom, means normally preventing flow of water from the main supply pipe to the sprinkler head and diaphragm and adapted to be actuated upon the fusing of said sprinkler head to permit flow of water from said main supply pipe to the sprinkler head and diaphragm, and an electro-magnetically controlled release adapted to be actuated by the diaphragm for automatically closing the service control valve.

7. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pi-pe connected to a source of water supply, a domestic service supply pipe, a service'control valve in said domestic supply pipe, a detent for normally holding said valve in open position, a sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, an electro-magnetic release connected to release for energizing the same to close'the serv-- ice control. I

8. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply, a domestic supply pipe, a valve in said domestic supply pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a. valve closing device connected to said valve for closing the same, a

' normally closed main valve interposed between the main supply pipe and sprinkler head and adapted to open upon the fusing of said sprinkler head for supply of water from said main supply pipe to said sprinkler head, and means. operative upon the opening of said main valve for actuating said valve closing device.

9. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply, a domestic supply pipe, a valve in said domestic supply pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected to said main supply pipe, a valve closing device connected to said valv for closing the same, a normally closed valve in the main supply pipe adapted to open upon the fusing of said sprinkler head for supply of water from the main supply pipe to said sprinkler head, and means including a member responsive to flow of water to the sprinkler head when the main valve opens for actuating said valve closing device.

10. In a fire extinguishing system, a main supply pipe connected to a source of water supply, a supplemental supply pipe, a quick-acting valve in said supplementalsupply pipe, a riser connected to said main supply pipe and to the tire extinguishing system, a main valve in said main supply pipe for regulating the discharge of water to said riser and the fire extinguishing system, and means adapted for actuation to close said quick-acting valve when said regulating valve is opened.

11. In a tire extinguishing system, a main 'water supply pipe, a riser connected therewith,

a domestic service pipe, a control-valve in said domestic service pipe, a fusible sprinkler head connected with the riser, a valve closing device for closing said control valve, a regulating valve 'for-permitting flow of water from the main sup- 'ply pipe to the riser upon the fusing of the sprinkler head, means responsive to water flow in the riser upon the opening of said regulating valve for actuating the valve closing device to closed position, and heat responsive means independent of the sprinkler head and operative at a fixed predetermined temperature for actuating the valve closing device independent of the water flow responsive means.

ERNEST A. LOWE.

STEPHEN T. VAN HOUTEN. 

